Weil v. Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co.

212 S.W. 313, 138 Ark. 534, 1919 Ark. LEXIS 70

• Court: Supreme Court of Arkansas
• Decided: May 19, 1919
• Status: Published

Opinions

SMITH. J.

The parties to this litigation entered into a contract which we copy in full, and for convenient reference we have numbered its paragraphs consecutively from 1 to 31. We set it out notwithstanding its extreme length because of the earnest insistence that all of its paragraphs must be read and construed together in order to arrive at the intent of the parties.

DEALER’S AGREEMENT between the

CHICAGO PNEUMATIC TOOL COMPANY

and

S. C. WEIL, Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Expires May 31, 1918.

This agreement, made and entered into this first day of June, A. D. 1917, by and between the Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company, a New Jersey corporation, party of the first part (hereinafter called the company) and S. C. Weil, of Pine Bluff, Ark., party of the second part (hereinafter called the dealer), Witnesseth: That,

Whereas, the Company is engaged in the manufacture and sale of Little Giant Motor Trucks, together with spare parts and appurtenances used in connection therewith, and is willing to sell said motor trucks to said Dealer exclusively in the territory hereinafter described.

Now, Therefore, In consideration of the mutual promises of the parties hereto, it is agreed as follows:

THE COMPANY AGREES:

1. To sell to the Dealer upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, and during the period commencing June 1, 1917, and ending May 31, 1918, any number of its said motor trucks and parts and appurtenances used in connection therewith, which the Dealer may desire to purchase for resale by him in the following described territory: Entire State of Arkansas.

2. The Company will not, during said above mentioned period, sell within above described territory any of its said cars or parts and appurtenances used in connection therewith, to any person, firm or corporation other than the said Dealer.

3. To ship any and all ears ordered from it by the Dealer within thirty (30) days from the receipt by it of orders for the same; provided, however, the Company shall not be liable in any way for failure or delay in making shipments caused by strikes, fires or other causes beyond its control, or delays occurring in the manufacture of its product or in the manufacture and delivery of parts thereof, and the Company shall not be liable for any loss of profits or damage for its failure to deliver goods ordered, or for the cancellation of this agreement.

4. The Company will refer to said Dealer any and all inquiries for relating to said Motor truck which it may receive from any person, firm or corporation residing or being in said above described territory.

5. The Company shall furnish the Dealer with catalogues and other advertising matter prepared by it and relating to said cars and the parts and appurtenances; the amount thereof, however, to be determined by the Company:

THE DEALER HEREBY AGREES:

6. To purchase from the Company immediately upon the execution of this agreement at least.................. of said motor trucks to be used by him in said above mentioned territory for the purpose of demonstration and show exclusively.

7. That he will maintain a repository and repair station for the satisfactory display, care and repair of said motor trucks; respond promptly to all inquiries respecting the purchase of said motor trucks; keep the Company fully informed as to the number of inquiries for, and sales of motor trucks within said territory, and any other matters affecting the interests of the Company in connection with this agreement; sell all motor trucks covered by this agreement, and all their parts and attachments in harmony with the policy of the Company, to maintain the reputation of its products.

8. That he will appoint a Sub-Dealer or establish a branch for the sale and delivery of Little Giant Motor .Trucks in every city or town within his territory that, may at any time be designated by the Company, in order that the Company’s products shall be adequately represented therein. That if the Dealer fails to secure a satisfactory representative for himself in any such city or town as above provided, the Company shall be at liberty to appoint any other Dealer in such unoccupied territory, in which case Dealer shall not not be entitled to commission or credit for the volume of business handled by such additional Dealer.

9. That he will be responsible to the Company for all acts of Sub-Dealers appointed by him, and that any acts of his Sub-Dealers which, if committed by the Dealer would be in violation of the terms hereof, shall be considered as acts of the Dealer.

10. That in order to secure adequate and uniform service to the users of Little Giant Motor Trucks, all agreements with Sub-Dealers shall be made on forms to be furnished by the Company, containing such of the provisions of this agreement as are necessary for the purpose, and such Sub-Dealer’s agreement shall not be put into effect until approved by the Company in writing in like manner as this agreement. All such agreements shall be made in triplicate and one copy filed with the Company immediately upon the execution of same.

11. To purchase from the Company all such motor accessories and repair parts as the Company sells and the Dealer supplies for use on Little Giant Motor Trucks.

12. That accounts for parts shall be due and payable on the 15th of each month for all parts shipped during the preceding month. -

13. That he will not alter any motor truck sold by the Company hereunder; that he will do nothing that will in any way infringe, impeach or lessen the value of the patents or trade marks under which Little Giant Motor Trucks or the parts thereof are made or sold.

14. That in respect to sales of Little Giant Motor Trucks for use outside his territory, he will abide by the Company’s policy, and further, that he will refer to the Company, whose decision shall be final, all controversies that may arise between him and ■ another Dealer with regard to sales of Motor Trucks outside of said territory, or claims relating thereof; that he will pay all claims decided by the Company to be dne from him within ten (10) days after receipt of notice of the Company’s decision. However, nothing herein contained shall be construed as a liability on the part of the Company to any Dealer for such profit.

15. That the Dealer will not deal in Motor Trucks not sold by the Company in such a manner as in the judgment of the Company will prejudice the sale or reputation of Little Giant Motor Trucks, or the good will of the name Little Giant, and as a matter of such business policy shall consult the Company before doing so.

16. That at the end of each month the Dealer will report to the Company the names, addresses and the business in which they are engaged, of all purchasers of Little Giant Motor Trucks; together with factory number of same.

17. That he will not transfer or assign this agreement or any rights hereunder.

THE PARTIES HERETO FURTHER AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

18. That this agreement shall be interpreted and construed according to the Laws of the State of Illinois.

19. The price to be paid by the Dealer for all complete chassis ordered by him from said Company shall be the full list price, less 25 per cent., F. O. B. cars factory, Chicago Heights, 111., twenty per cent, of said price to be paid at the time order is given and the balance at the time shipment is made, or by sight draft attached to the Bill of Lading.

20. The price to be paid by the Dealer for all parts and appurtenances purchased by him hereunder shall be the full list price, less 25 per cent.

21. The Dealer is not in any manner authorized or empowered to conduct the business in the name of or for the account of the Company, nor in its name, nor on its behalf, to enter upon any contract whatsoever, or to bill goods to third person, nor to make promises or representations with respect to said commercial cars, parts or other goods manufactured or sold by the Company other than those contained in the current catalogues issued by the Company. .

22. It is expressly understood by the Dealer that no car will be sold by him, or shall be resold by him, upon any guaranty or warranty- of any kind or nature except as follows:

“The Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company will, for a jieriod of one (1) year, from date of shipment of any car manufactured by it, replace at its factory, at Chicago Heights, Illinois, free of cost except for transportation, such parts of said car, as shall in the sole judgment of the Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company prove to be defective in material or workmanship, and provided further, that such parts shall be shipped to the Company at its factory, when claim is made, charges prepaid, properly tagged, giving the serial number of motor truck from which same was taken, name and address of owner, and such other information as may from time to time be required by the Company. No claims will be allowed or adjustments made by the Company under the terms of this guarantee, unless Dealer’s claim is presented, together with the alleged break or service failure within (10) days of discovery and that after the expiration of such ten (10) days no such claims will be allowed. This provision does not apply to parts or equipment not made by the Company, such as tires, rims, magnetos, batteries, coils and other electrical equipment, etc., for which purchaser must make all claims to their respective makers for damages of any nature growing out of this agreement, or for the sale or use of the motor trucks sold by it. ”

This guaranty shall not in any way apply to or cover any motor trucks which may be in any manner altered or repaired outside of the factory of the Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company or any of its-branches.

23. That this agreement shall expire by limitation on May 31, 1918, or may be canceled by either party upon sixty (60) days’ written notice given to the other through the usual course of mail or otherwise, provided, however, that for any violation thereof hy either party the other party may terminate the same forthwith. Termination or cancellation of this agreement as herein provided shall immediately cancel all orders for motor trucks, motor truck parts or attachments which may have been received from the Dealer, but which have not been delivered prior to the date of termination of cancellation, including such -orders as may have been accepted by the Company. After the termination or cancellation of this agreement, as hereinbefore provided, the continuance of the sale of such motor trucks or the referring of inquries by the Company to the Dealer shall not be construed as a renewal of this agreement, but all orders hereafter accepted by the Company and sales thereafter made by the Dealer shall be governed by the terms and conditions of this agreement.

24. That all claims for shortage must be made by the Dealer within ten days of receipt of the shipment on which shortage is claimed, :and that after the expiration of ten days no such claims- will be allowed.

25. That the responsibility of the Company for loss of or damages to goods ordered shall cease upon delivery thereof to the common carrier, and that the Company makes no warranties or representations of any kind other than contained in this agreement, as to the goods sold hereunder.

26. That the Company reserves the right to change all list prices at any time.

In witness whereof, the parties hereto have duly executed this agreement the day and year first above written.

Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company,

S. C. Weil, Dealer,

Attest..................................................................

27. , ADDENDUM.

Model H-4—1-Ton Chain-Driven Chassis,

Complete .............................................................................................$1400.00

Model H-4—1%-Ton Chain-Driven Chassis,

Complete ..........................................................................................- 1500.00

Standard Platform and Stake Bodies for same......$ 150.00

Standard Open Flare Bodies for same........................ 100.00

Standard Open Flare Bodies with Canvas Top

for same ............................................................................................. 150.00

Standard Cabs built on for same............................................ 50.00

Standard Windshields built on for same........................ 25.00

Shown and described in Circular 282.

Model 1-15—1-Ton Worm-Driven Chassis, Complete ................:........................................................................................ 1500.00

Furnished with either solid or pneumatic tires. Model 16—2-Ton Worm-Driven Chassis, Complete ......................................................................................................... 2250.00

This can be furnished with 168-in. wheel base, making length back of driver’s seat 140% inches, at the same price.

Model 17—3%-Ton Worm-Driven Chassis,

Complete ............................................................................................. 3250.00

Model 18—5-Ton Worm or Chain Driven Chassis, Complete ................................................................................. 4250.00

Built to order only.

Shown and described in catalogue No. 285.

28. ADVERTISING.

To agree to appropriate a sufficient amount of money to properly advertise locally in newspaper and outdoor publicity with the following understanding:

First. That this amount of expenditure is not to exceed One Hundred ($100.00) Dollars on each complete chassis; and, second, that fifty (50 per cent.) of the moneys so spent are to be charged by us to you.

Or, in other words, for every dollar you are willing to. spend we will also spend the same amount as outlined above.

29. YOUR DISCOUNT FROM LIST WHEN SOLD FOR CASH.

First ear ordered by you on contract, 15 per cent.

Second car ordered by you on contract, 17% per cent., with credit memorandum to make first car same price.

Third car ordered by you on contract, 20 per cent., with credit memorandum to make first and second cars same price.

Fourth car ordered by you on contract, 22% per cent., with credit memorandum to make first, second and third cars same price.

Fifth ear ordered by you on contract, 25 per cent., with credit memorandum to make first, second, third and fourth cars same price.

30. YOUR DISCOUNTS FROM LIST WHEN SOLD ON DEFERRED PAYMENT PLAN.

First car ordered by you on contract, 10 per cent.

Second ear ordered by you on contract, 12% per cent., with credit memorandum to make first car same price.

Third car ordered by you on contract, 15 per cent., with credit memorandum to make first and second cars same price.

Fourth car ordered by you on contract, 17% per cent., with credit memorandum to make first, second and third cars same price.

Fifth car ordered by you on contract, 20 per cent, with credit memorandum to make, first, second, third and fourth cars same price.

31. We would expect you to contract for not less than 25 Little Giant Chassis, same to be taken by you during the period of this contract, which we would make for one year, at intervals to be decided on, but specifications must be furnished 30 days in advance and furnish us a deposit of $50 for each chassis, same to be refunded as you place orders.

We adopt the designations used in the contract and will refer to appellant as the Dealer and to appellee as the Company.

The Dealer had ordered and there had been delivered two trucks, in part payment of which the Dealer had executed his note. A third truck had been ordered, but shipment and delivery had been refused by the Company. In addition, the dealer had executed a note for $1,250 in accordance with paragraph 31. This note was renewed and later paid by the Dealer; but the note given in part-payment of the trucks was not paid, and this suit was brought to enforce its payment. By way of cross-complaint the Dealer prayed judgment for the portion of his deposit made under paragraph 31 which had not been applied to the purchase of trucks as there provided; and, in addition, the Dealer prayed judgment for the loss of profits which he alleged had been sustained as a result of the Company’s failure and refusal to fill his order for trucks. Under the direction of the court the jury allowed the Dealer credit for the unapplied portion of his deposit made under paragraph 31, but disallowed anything on account of loss of profits, and the right to recover these profits is the question involved in This appeal.

The court below had the view that paragraph 3, which exempted the Company from damages for its failure to deliver goods as required by other paragraphs of the contract, rendered it void for the lack of mutuality, and that while it controlled the rights and obligations of the parties insofar as they had operated under it, it was unenforceable as against the Company insofar as it was executory. We have reached the conclusion that this is the correct construction of the contract and that the court, therefore, correctly told the jury that there could be no recovery of profits.

It is argued that we should construe this contract most strongly against the Company, as it has used its blank form in its preparation; and so we should. It is also insisted that in arriving at the intent of the parties we should construe the instrument as a whole. And the correctness of this contention is. likewise conceded. And it is argued that when this has been done the plan under which the Company proposed to operate has been disclosed, and that if it has no valid and enforceable agreement with the Dealer here it has no valid and enforceable contract with any dealer anywhere. That its plan is to give exclusive rights to sell its goods to agents in assigned territory. That the purpose and policy of the Company is to sell the largest possible quantity of the output of its factory and as a means to this end has assigned the territory throughout which it proposes to operate to agents who are given the exclusive right of sale in their respective territories and that having adopted this policy, as disclosed by the contract, we should not construe the contract as making its performance optional on the part of the Company.

It must, of course, be true that the contract lacks mutuality if one of the parties thereto has reserved the option of performing or not performing as he pleases, and while, indeed this right is not reserved in terms, we think this is the effect of paragraph 3. What does it matter that the Dealer may have assigned to him exclusive territory in which to sell the Company’s goods if “the Company shall not be liable for any loss of profits or damage for its failure to deliver goods ordered or for the cancellation of this agreement?” If the language means what in its ordinary acceptation it apparently says, we have a writing which will determine the rights of the parties insofar as they operate under it but which has in advance excused and exempted the Company from legal liability for its non-performance through failure to deliver the goods ordered.

In 6 E. C. L., sec. 96, p. 691, the law is stated as follows: “Again, a contract which can be terminated at the will of one of the parties without liability for damages,, so far as it remains executory, is not binding for want of mutuality. ’ ’

And in the case of El Dorado Ice & Planing Mill Co. v. Kinard, 96 Ark. 188, this court said: “A contract, therefore, which leaves it entirely optional with one of the parties as to whether or not he will perform his promise would not be binding on the other.” See, also, 7 A. & E. Enc. of Law (2 ed.) 114; Page on Contracts, Vol. 1, secs. 302-6; St. Louis, I. M. & S. R. Co. v. Clark, 90 Ark. 508.

There appears to have been much litigation in the Federal Courts involving contracts more or less similar to the one now under consideration, and in these cases contracts having clauses similar to paragraph 3 have been held to be void for the want of mutuality.. Some late oases which collect a number of others are: Velie Motor Car Co. v. Kepmeir Motor Car Co., ,194 Fed. 324; Oakland Motor Car Co. v. Indiana Automobile Co., 201 Fed. 499; Wilson v. Studebaker Corporation of America, 240 Fed. 801. See, also, Goodyear v. Koehler Sporting Goods Co., 143 N. Y. S. 1046; Wood v. Glens Falls Automobile Co., 161 N. Y. State 808. Judgement affirmed.